World’s least-visited country is a ‘super welcoming’ island with only 9,500 tourists each year

A recent survey from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation has found that the remote Pacific island nation of Kiribati is officially the least-visited country in the world.

With turquoise water, pristine strips of golden sand, and incredible marine life, Kiribati isn’t unlike popular tropical destinations in the Pacific.

But in 2024, only 9,504 tourists visited the island country — ironically a record number, considering it welcomed approximately 2,000 foreign visitors in 2022.

Alongside other remote spots such as Montserrat, Niue, and Micronesia, Kiribati has plenty to offer. A tranquil and peaceful place, it’s home to incredible culture and has been described as a ‘completely different planet’.

In fact, the few visitors that have been to Kiribati have praised the locals’ extreme kindness and generosity, with one tourist sharing that they were treated ‘like family’ during their stay.

So, why are so few people gracing this country’s shores?

Why is Kiribati so little-visited?

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Made up of 32 islands, only 20 of which are inhabited, Kiribati is a unique place, positioned in Oceania in such a way that it is the only country in the world to touch all four hemispheres.

Extremely isolated, the capital, Tarawa, is roughly 4,000 kilometres southwest of Hawaii.

Recent reports state that the population of Kiribati is approximately 135,000. However, some of the islands, such as Kiritimati, have as few as 7,000 year-round residents.

As you might have already guessed, the only way to visit the country is by plane. There are three international gateways: in Tarawa, Kiritimati and on the Kanton Islands.

The flight schedule is also extremely limited. So, if you miss your return flight, you will likely be stuck in Kiribati for another week.

But if you’re not afraid of travelling somewhere remote, Kiribati could just be the place for you.

One of the most stunning sights on Kiribati is the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), a UNESCO World heritage-listed marine protected area.

Covering 408,250 square kilometres of ocean, coral reefs, and submerged mountains, the site is home to 800 known species of fauna, including 200 coral species, 500 fish species, 18 marine mammals, and 44 bird species.

Kiribati is also bursting with culture, with visitors encouraged to experiencethe eight traditional dances often performed by locals at celebrations and community gatherings.

Other significant tourist destinations include the Te Umanibong museum in South Tarawa and the House of Assembly, the sole chamber of the Parliament of Kiribati.

Kiribati is the first place to see the New Year

One of the most interesting things about Kiribati is undoubtedly the fact that every year, without fail, this remote country becomes the first place in the world to enter the New Year.

This happens because the country’s easternmost islands are located just west of the International Date Line, in the earliest time zone, UTC+14.

These ‘Line Islands’ subsequently become the first to experience midnight.

So, if you’re someone who likes coming first, maybe you should consider welcoming 2027 in Kiribati.

‘The people are super welcoming’

Soren Almeida, a travel content creator, visited Kiritimati island, in Kiribati, to experience New Year’s and said that it felt as though he was ‘stepping back in time by a few decades’.

The influencer told his TikTok followers: ‘It feels like a completely different planet. There’s no phone service, everything is cash-only, immigration is even done on paper, and I hitchhiked everywhere’.

The creator did clarify that the country is quite underdeveloped. Kiribati’s infrastructure is very limited, with few employment opportunities, and roughly 22% of its population living in poverty.

However, Soren noted that the people were ‘very friendly and curious and super welcoming’.

At one point during his trip, Soren actually experienced a serious medical emergency, unexpectedly developing tetany which involves involuntary muscle contractions and overly stimulated peripheral nerves caused by electrolyte deficiency.

Soren shared a video shortly after his ordeal expressing his gratitude to the people of Kiribati, noting: ‘My host and his wife slept on the floor next to me in the hospital, making sure I had food and water. I felt like I was treated like family here’.

@MaretaThreads’ family is from Kiribati and during a recent visit documented her experience ‘off-grid living’.

By sharing videos of her family’s village and island customs, Mareta has received many comments from viewers thanking her for offering a rare glimpse into this small corner of the world.

@Kimberly wrote: ”This is so interesting! Thanks for sharing such a beautiful place with us!’

While @DavidMike added: ‘This is a very sweet magical place and it have such a serene beautiful landscape’.

How to get to Kiribati from the UK – and what it would cost

To get to Kiribati from the UK, travellers will need to take multiple flights, as there are no direct routes.

One of the most common journeys involves flying to Fiji, which will include at least one stop in either Singapore or Los Angeles, and then transferring onto a Fiji Airways flight to either Tarawa or Kiritimati.

The entire journey can take upwards of 30 hours in the air. And in most cases, you’ll need to complete at least two layovers.

Another route involves travelling to Honolulu and then making your transfer.

Currently, if you were to travel to Kiribati next month, leaving on May 9 and returning May 19, a return flight would set you back £1,970. This route would involve three stops at Dubai, Sydney, and Fiji, both ways.

However, if you want to bring your arrival time forward, you’ll need to fork out upwards of £4,000.

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